Abstract:

An interactive, multi-user media delivery system having a number of media
storage mediums, each of containing a particular media selection, and a
number of media players structured to selectively deliver the media
selection to users. Each of the media players includes a control assembly
structured to selectively control and regulate delivery of the media
selection to the user, and at least one of the media players is
selectively designatable as a slave unit. A master control assembly is
further provided and is operatively associated with the media players, a
connectivity assembly being included to establish a communicative link at
least between the slave unit(s) and the master control assembly. The
master control assembly is further structured to receive synchronization
data from each of the media players, and to simultaneously and uniformly
control the delivery of the media selection by the media players.

Claims:

1-42. (canceled)

43. An interactive, multi-user media delivery system comprising:at least
first and second portable media players structured to receive a media
selection and selectively deliver, via a delivery assembly, the media
selection to a user from a corresponding storage medium, each of the at
least first and second portable media players including a control
assembly structured to selectively control and regulate delivery of the
media selection to the user and a connectivity assembly structured to
establish a communicative link at least between the at least first and
second portable media players;the at least first portable media player
being selectively designatable as a master unit and the at least second
portable media player being selectively designatable as a slave unit;
anda master control assembly operatively associated with the at least
first and second portable media players and disposed in the master
unit,the master control assembly structured to receive synchronization
data of the media selection from each of the at least first and second
portable media players at commencement of delivery of the media
selection, the synchronization data including an identifier of the media
selection and location designator indicative of what in the media
selection is being delivered at a point in time when the synchronization
data is collected, whereinthe master control assembly structured to
periodically poll each of the at least first and second portable media
players during delivery of the media selection to receive further
synchronization data from each of the at least first and second portable
media players and to simultaneously and uniformly synchronize the
delivery of the media selection by controlling the control assembly of
each of the at least first and second portable media players based on the
polled and received synchronization data to ensure the at least first and
second portable media players are delivering specific points of the media
selection at the same time.

44. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
43, wherein the delivery assembly includes a digital music playback
system.

45. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
43, wherein the delivery assembly includes a MP3 player.

46. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
43, wherein the delivery assembly includes a personal video recorder.

47. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
43, wherein the at least first and second portable media players are web
enabled media players.

48. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
47, further comprising a messaging assembly operatively associated with
each of the at least first and second portable media players, the
messaging assembly structured to permit selective messaging communication
initiated by the users to the users of the at least first and second
portable media players while the media selection is being delivered to
the users.

49. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
48, wherein the messaging assembly includes a text messaging assembly
structured to communicate a message visibly utilizing a monitor
associated with the delivery of the media selection.

50. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
48, wherein the messaging assembly includes an audio messaging assembly
structured to communicate a message audibly utilizing an audio system
associated with the delivery of the media selection.

51. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
48, wherein the messaging assembly includes a video messaging assembly
structured to communicate a message visibly utilizing a monitor
associated with the delivery of the media selection.

52. A media delivery system for synchronizing content on at least two
portable media players comprising:at least first and second portable
media players structured to receive a media selection and selectively
deliver, via a delivery assembly, the media selection to a user from a
corresponding storage medium disposed in the portable media player, each
of the portable media players including:a control assembly structured to
selectively control and regulate delivery of the media selection to the
user, anda connectivity assembly structured to coupled the portable media
player to a computer network and enable network communications; anda
master control assembly operatively associated with and coupled to the
portable media players over the computer network, the master control
assembly structured to receive synchronization data of the media
selection from each of the portable media players at commencement of
delivery of the media selection, the synchronization data including an
identifier of the media selection and location designator indicative of
what in the media selection is being delivered at a point in time when
the synchronization data is collected, whereinthe master control assembly
structured to periodically poll each of the portable media players during
delivery of the media selection to receive further synchronization data
from each of the portable media players and to simultaneously and
uniformly synchronize the delivery of the media selection by controlling
the control assembly of each of the portable media players based on the
polled and received synchronization data to ensure the at least two
portable media players are delivering specific points of the media
selection at the same time.

53. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, wherein the master
control assembly is disposed in server remotely located from the portable
media players.

54. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, further comprising a
central authority coupled to the computer network and structured to
receive the identifier for the media selection from each of the at least
first and second portable media players and to verify that each media
selection is an authorized copy based on the received identifier, wherein
upon verification, each of the at least first and second portable media
players having an authorized media selection is enabled to participate in
the system.

55. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
52, further comprising a messaging assembly operatively associated with
each of the at least first and second portable media players, the
messaging assembly structured to permit selective messaging communication
initiated by the users to the users of the at least first and second
portable media players while the media selection is being delivered to
the users.

56. The interactive, multi-user media delivery system as recited in claim
55, wherein the messaging assembly includes a text messaging assembly
structured to communicate a message visibly utilizing a monitor
associated with the delivery of the media selection.

57. The media delivery system as recited in claim 55, wherein the
messaging assembly includes an audio messaging assembly structured to
communicate a message audibly utilizing an audio system associated with
the delivery of the media selection.

58. The media delivery system as recited in claim 55, wherein the
messaging assembly includes a video messaging assembly structured to
communicate a message visibly utilizing a monitor associated with the
delivery of the media selection.

59. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, wherein the at least
first and second portable media players include a digital music playback
system.

60. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, wherein the at least
first and second portable media players include a MP3 player.

61. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, wherein the at least
first and second portable media players include a personal video
recorder.

62. The media delivery system as recited in claim 52, wherein the at least
first and second portable media players are web enabled media players.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]The present invention relates to an interactive multi-user media
delivery system which can be effectively employed with any conventional
media type disposed on a corresponding storage medium, so as to provide
substantially enhanced receipt of the media content and multi-user
interactivity between one or more simultaneous recipients of the media
selection. The present interactive multi-user media delivery system does
not require any special programming and/or authorization on the storage
medium and the media selection contained thereon, but rather operates to
effectively allow an interactive multi-user viewing experience that can
be managed directly and independently by individual users, and/or managed
by a remote organizational concern such as a teacher, meeting organizer,
movie studio, production company, advertiser, sponsor, etc.

[0003]2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]In entertainment and information related industries, informational
and/or entertainment media are provided to users in a variety of
conventional and advancing formats. Despite the availability of various
types of media content utilizing transmission networks, such as
broadcast, cable, satellite, fiber optic, Internet, etc., due to
convenience, file size and/or copyright issues, a still very popular form
for the delivery of media to a user is through the use of portable
storage mediums that can be easily transported, owned by an individual,
shared, rented, and/or mass produced for distribution and/or sale to a
large number of users.

[0005]These various types of distributable media may include audio only
media, such as on CD ROMS, conventional CDs, cassette tapes, floppy
discs, digital storage chips, portable devices, and/or other storage
devices, or can include audio-visual media, storable on similar types of
portable storage medium as well as video cassettes, DVD's, video CD's and
chipped based digital storage devices. Furthermore, each individual
storage medium may include one or more particular media selection which
are to be made available to the users utilizing a conventional play back
device. As can be appreciated, the sale, rental and/or promotional
distribution of content utilizing such portable storage medium is a very
significant aspect of commerce.

[0006]Despite the benefits of being able to receive and enjoy media
content independently, such as in a user's own home, one draw back
associated with the utilization of a compact portable storage medium, may
be the diminishment of group interaction and/or utilization of the media
content. For example, in the entertainment industry it is widely
recognized that when a group is able to view programming, such as a
particular motion picture, together as a group, the viewing experience is
often enhanced as the group may "feed off of one another" in responding
to the media content. As a result, as technology changes and advances,
and the sale and/or rental for home use of media content, such as motion
pictures becomes an ever increasing and important part of the
entertainment industry, this group interaction is sacrificed.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a media delivery
system which will not interfere with a user's normal utilization and
access to varying types of media content, but which will also allow a
number of users to have an interactive and common media experience,
whether it is independently initiated by users or sponsored by an
interested party. Furthermore, such a system should permit uniform
simultaneous viewing and control of any conventionally available, and/or
to be developed media type and medium storage and play back system. For
example, it is recognized, that a very large number of storage mediums
have already been sold and/or distributed, and as such, the system should
allow effective interaction and multi-user experiences with the
conventionally programmed and/or configured storage mediums as well.

[0007]In addition to a large scale, multi-user viewing experience, it
would also be beneficial to provide an easy to implement multi-user
system so that as little as two users can enjoy a common media
experience. AS can be appreciated, such a system would have a number of
beneficial uses, including use by distant relatives to view home movies
or a special movie selection together, or by friends and neighbors to
have an interactive, group viewing experience without having to leave
their homes. Moreover, such a system should preferably do more than
merely allow simultaneous viewing, but should also allow interaction
between the various users at remote locations.

[0008]In addition to the entertainment applications, it would also be
beneficial to provide an interactive multi-user media delivery system
which can be effectively utilized as an informational tool, whether in
business or in the education industry. Specifically, it would be
advantageous to provide a controllable information dissemination
experience to any number of users and/or a number of locations without
requiring special programming or encoding in the information itself. As a
result, a large number of users can truly experience a simultaneous and
interactive distribution of the information, be it a presentation,
instructional materials, etc. Further, such a system should also provide
a degree of interactivity between the varied users so as to eliminate the
disadvantages of the isolating viewing scenario that must currently be
experienced by viewers at different remote locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009]The present invention relates to an interactive multi user media
delivery system. The media delivery system preferably includes at least
two media storage mediums, each of which may contain at least a
particular media selection. Furthermore, at least two media players
capable of receiving and effectively delivering the media selection to a
user from the storage mediums are also provided. Naturally, the delivery
mode of the media may correspond to the type of media being delivered,
such as using a video monitor for video and/or audio-video media, and/or
speakers. Moreover, each of the media players includes a control assembly
that selectively controls and regulates the delivery of the media
selection to the user in a conventional manner, such as via the video
monitor and/or audio monitor.

[0010]Within the context of the present media delivery system, at least
one of the media players is preferable designatable as a slave a unit.
Moreover, a master control assembly is further provided, and is
operatively associated with the media players, and at least the slave
media players, so as to effectively regulate and/or control the delivery
of the media selection by each slave media player. The master control
assembly may be configured to provide control inputs similar to those of
the control assembly of the media players, and/or may provide additional
control functions.

[0011]The master control assembly is preferably communicatively associated
with at least the slave unit(s) via a connectivity assembly.
Specifically, the connectivity assembly is structured to establish a
communicative link at least between the slave unit(s) and the master
control assembly for a preferred, although not required, two way
transmission of information. Additionally, the master control assembly
may be structured to receive synchronization data from each of the media
players, such as by the connectivity assembly, and to accordingly
simultaneously and uniformly control delivery of the media selection by
the media players. Indeed, this simultaneous and uniform delivery of the
media selection is achieved without requiring any specialized and/or
specific programming on the media storage medium.

[0012]These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed
description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,
reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the
interactive, multi-user media delivery system of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment present
invention;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an illustration of one monitor assembly utilized in
conjunction with a media player of the delivery system of the present
invention, the monitor, including one embodiment of the messaging display
of the communication shell;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the
messaging display of the communication shell; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
enhanced media player of the present invention.

[0019]Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020]The present invention is directed towards an interactive, multi
user, media delivery system, generally indicating as 10, and more
specifically with a media player 15 configured for integration within the
media delivery system 10 of the present invention. In particular, the
media delivery system 10 of the present includes at least two but
preferably a plurality of media players 15, 15'. The media players 15,
15' may be maintained and operated by users in a variety of locations
which may be local or remote from one another. Furthermore, each of the
media players 15, 15' is preferably configured to deliver a media
selection to a user from a media storage medium 12 to be associated
therewith. Specifically, the media players 15, 15' are preferably
structured to deliver a media selection to a user, and may be structured
to deliver any of a number conventionally available media types and
formats. As such, the media players 15, 15' of the present invention may
include an input assembly 17 to receive the storage medium 12 and a
delivery assembly 23 that includes a media decoder 24 to deliver the
corresponding type of media selection from the storage medium and a
control assembly 20 which controls the delivery of the media selection as
facilitated by an output assembly 19. Accordingly the delivery assembly
may include or integrate video tape play back units, DVD play back
systems, compact disk or digital music playback systems, such as MP3
players, video CD play back systems and/or digital memory stick, hard
disk storage systems, personal (digital) video recorders or chip based
play back systems. Further, the media players may be multi-media capable,
such as in the form of a personal computer with media capabilities,
combined DVD/MP3/Video CD player, etc. To this end, it is also recognized
that although not necessary, it may be preferred that the media players
be associated with digital media contained on media storage mediums 12 to
be associated therewith. Further, each media player 15, 15' should have
their own media storage medium 12 containing a corresponding media
selection for playback, thus promoting the protection of copyright laws
and requiring each user purchase or rent their own lawful copy. Moreover,
it may also be seen that utilizing the system of the present invention,
as will be described, an identifier for each media selection may also be
communicated to a central authority so as to verify that an unauthorized
copy is not being used. As such, users have incentive to purchase or
obtain authorized copies of a media selection if they which to
participate in the interactive experience available utilizing the present
invention. Furthermore, although any desired type of encoding and/or
programming may be made directly on the storage medium 12 or within the
media selection, the storage mediums 12 may be structured in any
conventional fashion useable on any corresponding device and do not
require specialize encoding other than that normally required to achieve
conventional utilization. Also, although not required, it is preferred
that each storage medium 12 preferably includes a substantially identical
or uniform copy of a particular media selection to be delivered utilizing
the present system. Still, however, the media players 15, 15' need not be
dedicated exclusively for the multi-user media delivery system 10 of the
present invention, but rather they may also be configured for
independent, relatively conventional utilization.

[0021]Each of the media players 15, 15' preferably includes a control
assembly 20, 20'. The control assembly 20, 20' is incorporated so as to
effectively regulate and control the delivery of the media selection to
the user, such as via an associated monitor 16 for the purposes of an
audio-video medium, or merely by way of an audio monitor in the case of a
purely audio media selection. Along these lines, the control assembly may
include such features as play, pause, rewind, fast forward and/or any
other appropriate and/or desirable control functions which can
effectively allow a user to regulate the delivery of the media selection
or access other components or aspects of a media selection, as in the
case of a DVD or CD.

[0022]The multi user media delivery system 10 of the present invention
further includes a master control assembly. The master control assembly
is structured to substantially simultaneously and uniformly control the
delivery of the media selection by at least certain ones of the media
players 15, 15' that are to be associated with the delivery of a specific
media selection. To this end, the media selection is provided to a
corresponding user of each active media player 15, 15' in a substantially
synchronized, simultaneous and uniform fashion. As a result, a uniform,
and collective viewing experience can be achieved for all of the users.
Examples of the application of the multi user media delivery system 10 of
the present invention will be described in greater detailed subsequently.

[0023]Looking first to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the
media delivery system 10 of the present invention one or a plurality of
media players 15 are preferably designated, preferably selectively and/or
temporarily, as slave unit(s). That is, the slave unit(s) are configured
to be operated and/or controlled by the master control assembly at least
with regard to media delivery. Likewise, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, any
or one of the media players 15' may be designated as a master unit, its
control assembly 20' functioning at least partially as the master control
assembly which regulates and controls the delivery of the media by at
least the slave media players 15 but preferably slave media players 15 as
well as the corresponding master player 15'. In this regard, it is
recognized that at least one slave media player 15 is designated,
however, a virtually unlimited number of slave media players 15 may
equivalently be provided and integrated within the media delivery system
10 of the present invention. Likewise, it is recognized that a large
number of media players 15 may be available for designation as slave
media players for a particular uniform viewing utilizing the media
delivery system 10, however, not all may elect to participate and/or may
be designated as slave media players 15 to be controlled by the master
control assembly. Also, is recognized that although one media player 15'
is preferably designated to define the master control assembly 20',
designation as the master control assembly 20' may be shared by one or
more media players, including the slave media players themselves, and/or
may be switched or moved from one media player to another. As a result,
independent users can organize and initiate a simultaneous delivery
experience and can selectively share and/or give up control over the
delivery. For example, any user or all users may be given master control
assembly functionality to pause, rewind, stop, etc., a media delivery for
some media players or all participating media players.

[0024]Turning to FIG. 2, in an alternative embodiment of the present
invention an independent remote computer processor 18, which may be or
may not be associated with a media player at all, may exclusively or in a
shared manner include the master control assembly 22. In this embodiment,
it is at least the remote computer processor 18 which directs the
operation of all slave media player 15. Also, in this embodiment a
particular user may elect to designate their media player as a slave
media player 15, or may elect to retain control and not participate in a
simultaneous media delivery. Furthermore, as mentioned, the individual
slave media players 15 may also retain a certain degree of control over
themselves, and/or may be allowed to act either temporarily or
perpetually as the master control assembly either instead of or in
addition to the master control assembly 22 of the remote computer
processor 18.

[0025]From the proceeding, it is seen that the multi user media delivery
system 10 of the present invention, either in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or
FIG. 2 has a variety of uses and applications which will substantially
enhance the delivery of media content by a media player of the present
invention. One example of such a use of the multi user media delivery
system 10 of the present invention may be for a specific motion picture
and/or other audio video media premier on a portable storage medium 12
such as a DVD. In such a circumstance, users who are to participate in a
simultaneous viewing of the DVD will have their own particular DVD as the
storage medium 12 to be inserted at an appropriate time into their media
player 15, 15' for effective viewing. At that point in time, producers,
distributors, talent, etc. of the DVD utilizing the remote computer
processor 18 as the master control assembly 22 and/or the utilization of
a master player 15' are able to control and regulate a simultaneous
viewing of the media selection by a large audience for a synchronize
premier. Indeed, it is also recognized within such an application, a
specially programmed DVD, such as provided within the system of U.S. Pat.
No. 6,101,534, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference, may be provided such that the master control assembly can
actually unlock content previously not available to the user
conventionally by the media player. As a result, a controlled premier can
be maintained with each individual user not being able to actually view
the media selection in its entirety or at all unless unlocked as part of
the uniform delivery. Similarly, additional enhanced content may be
provided to the user so as to further enhance the delivery of the media
selection, such as a directors cut, special features, etc. Of course, it
is understood that the entertainment industry is not the only industry
which could benefit from the multi user media delivery system 10 of the
present invention. Alternatively, in the business and educational field,
corresponding storage medium 12 can be delivered to one or a plurality of
users, such as students or participants in a meeting at different
offices, for placement into their media players 15, 15'. Utilizing the
master control assembly 20', 22' a meeting organizer, and/or any user as
desired by the meeting organizer, may effectively control the
simultaneous delivery of the media selection, which can be a
presentation, proposal, meeting notes, educational materials, etc.
Further, as will be described subsequently, the communicative
interactivity which is also preferably provided as part of the media
delivery system 10 of the present invention provides a further enhanced
degree of interactivity more than mere simultaneous receipt of the media
selection.

[0026]In order to effectively achieve interactivity and communication
between each of the various media players 15, 15' and/or a remote
computer processor 18, each of the media players further preferably
includes a connectivity assembly 30. The connectivity assembly 30 is
configured so as to effectively provide communication between the media
players 15, 15' and/or the remote computer processor 18, and as such may
include a computer control assembly, such as utilizing a computer network
15 including the internet. In this regard, the connectivity assembly may
be a specific dedicated connectivity assembly by which all media players
15, 15' and/or the remote computer processor assembly 18 can communicate
in a dedicated fashion, and/or may include any conventional type of
Internet access or public connection which allows for effective data
transmission and input receipts to and from the media players 15, 15'. As
such, a web enable media player 15, 15' may be integrated into the
present system so as to provide the connectivity assembly 30 desired.
Also in some embodiments, a central server 52 may also be provided and/or
maintained so as to achieve appropriate management of the communication
between the respective media players 15, 15' and/or remote computer
processor 18. In this regard, the central server 52, utilizing for
example a computer network 50, is able to regulate traffic to and from
the individual media players 15, 15', and as will be described
subsequently, may also regulate and/or control messaging and/or
promotional activity to be associated with the delivery of the media
selection.

[0027]Looking in further detail to the central server assembly 52, it is
preferably structured to receive communicative inputs from media players
15, 15' and/or a remote computer processor 18, and to effectively
communicate them in an understandable fashion to all of the media players
and/or remote computer processor 18. Indeed in this regard, the central
server assembly 52 may include the remote computer processor 18 that
includes the master control assembly. Additionally, however, the central
server assembly 52 is preferably, configured to act as a hub for the
effective, interactive, managed communication of messaging traffic, as
will be described, and moreover, to interact with the communication shell
60 associated with the messaging traffic, such as for the purpose of
displaying promotional materials in conjunction with messaging traffic.
For example, a promotional materials may be viewed as advertisements
which may be displayed as part of the communication shell 60, as will be
described, thus providing an auxiliary source of income in connection
with the simultaneous and/or synchronized media delivery. As a result,
the central server assembly 52 is structured to regulate, control and
direct the delivery of promotional materials in connection with a play
back control of the media players 15, 15' and/or the messaging activity
of the media players 15, 15', the availability for the delivery being
provided in exchange for the service of making available and/or managing
the simultaneous media delivery and/or messaging. Of course, a paid or
free service could be provided to users with or without additional
promotional materials.

[0028]As indicated, the present invention also preferably includes a
messaging assembly, generally 40. In particular, the messaging assembly
40 is configured so as to allow effective communication between users of
the various media players 15, 15' and/or operators of the remote computer
processor 18. The messaging assembly 40, which may be manipulated and/or
controlled through the central server assembly 52 or through a direct
pier to pier communication, allows for the further enhancement of the
simultaneous viewing experience by allowing the user of one particular
media player to communicate with all or a select one or group of other
users utilizing other remotely located media players. Furthermore, the
messaging assembly 40 is preferably configured to operate while the media
content is being delivered to the user utilizing the media player, thus
allowing a degree of real time interactivity between the media selection
being presented and the various users.

[0029]The messaging assembly 40 of the present invention may be configured
so as to provide audio messages, video messages, audio/video messages
and/or text messages between the various users. In this regard, a
messaging interface 44 is preferably provided. The messaging interface 44
preferably corresponds at least the type of interactive messaging
communication that can be achieve utilizing a particular media player. As
such, the messaging interface 44 may include a keyboard, mouse, video
camera, pointer, remote control unit, voice recognition module,
microphone and/or any other type of communication interface. As such, a
message received at a corresponding media player at which it is delivered
is communicated utilizing the connectivity assembly 30 to a select one,
group or all other media players and/or remote computer processor(s) 18.

[0030]Although an audio only message may be provided whereby an audio
message is communicated utilizing the normal audio facilities associated
with media player, in a preferred embodiment wherein the media player
communicates the media selection to a user utilizing an associate monitor
16, a communication shell 60, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is
preferably provided. Specifically, the communication shell 60 is included
and associated with the delivery of one or more messages to a
corresponding user of a specific media player. In the illustrated
embodiment the communication shell 60 includes a messaging display 62
which may be defined as a segregated or select area of the monitor 16 via
which messaging communication is achieved. For example, the communication
shell 60 may define a template area that overlies the appropriate media
display section of the monitor 16, and/or may provide a segregated area
of the monitor 16 for containment of the messaging display 62.
Furthermore, if desired, the communication shell 60 may be defined so as
to reserve an area of the monitor 16 display for when messaging
communication is desired, however, remain substantially or generally
un-obtrusive when messaging communication is not taking place. Also,
appropriate movement and/or re-positioning of the messaging display may
also be provided.

[0031]Looking first to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the messaging display 62
may include a select area wherein a text message 63 may be viewed. This
viewing of the text message 63 may be in the context of viewing a
received message or of typing and/or entering in a text message by a user
of the corresponding media player utilizing the messaging interface and
then subsequently accepting the written text message 63 for effective
communication to one or more other users. Alternately, however, the
messaging display 62 of the communication shell 60 may include a video
display 63' as in FIG. 4. The video display 63' is preferably utilized
for video communication between the respective users such that users at
various different locations utilizing different media players can see one
another and can interact in a more face to face type manner. In such an
embodiment, preferably an audio component will also be provided, such as
a microphone which may be associated with a video camera or be distinct
therefrom. Of course, if desired text messaging can be integrated with
the video display 63', as well as other features including the use of
special effects and/or animations so as to enhance a video representation
of the user and/or to actually define the video representation of the
user in cases where the users do not wish to be video taped. Accordingly,
in such an embodiment person at remote locations, such as a grandparent
and grandchild in different parts of the country can effectively watch a
media selection together and cab see one another watching the media
selection and interact with one another as desired.

[0032]Looking further to the communication shell 60 associated with the
messaging assembly 40, it is also preferred that promotional materials be
deliverable utilizing the communication shell 60. In particular, the
promotion materials 64, which may be included within the messaging
display 62 and/or may be separated therefrom, are provided to a user who
is viewing the media selection via the monitor 16 of the present system.
Of course, the promotional material 64 can be any type of materials,
whether associated with the specific media selection or whether
completely separate therefrom and merely provided as a source of income
relative to the facilitation of the connectivity between remote users.
Furthermore, the promotional materials 64 may be tailored to specific
users, if desired, or may be customized to change depending on the
situation and/or the circumstance, or in accordance with the portion
and/or section of the media selection being provided to the user.
Additionally, if desired, the promotional material 64 may themselves
define an interactive link which may be effectively selected by a user,
such as utilizing a pointer control, so as to provide additional
information regarding the promotional material 64 being displayed and/or
by saving information for later viewing and/or later access.

[0033]In addition to or instead of providing one or more promotional
materials 64 as interactive links, it is also recognized that interactive
links may be effectively provided within the messaging display 62 for
various other purposes as well. For example, users may wish to
communicate interactive links to associated computer website(s) or
additional information and/or interactive links may be provided as
selectable user responses to a query that may be presented between users
or from operators of the master control assembly. For example, it may be
desirable to poll users so as to get opinions regarding the media
selection, as in the case of a premier or product presentation, or it may
be desirable to provide a quiz to users, such as for an instructional use
in the context of a test or in an entertainment aspect for purposes of
winning prizes and/or for pure entertainment value. As a result, the
communication shell 60 provides an interactive area within which the
users can effectively interact while still effectively experiencing the
media selection on the monitor 16 and other appropriate media medium.
Furthermore, the programming for the messaging assembly 40, including the
communication shell 60, is preferably integrated into the media players
15, 15' themselves and as a result any media selection may be effectively
utilized. Indeed, although as indicated it is preferred that the same
media selection be simultaneously viewed on each of the various media
players so as to provide a group type experience, it is also understood
that the messaging facilities and communicative facilities in the present
invention may also be effectively utilized even when different media
selections are being played on each corresponding media player.

[0034]Finally, in order to effectively delivered the media selection to
all users in a simultaneous, synchronized fashion, synchronization data
is preferably communicated at least to the master control assembly. This
synchronization data may include a location designator associated with
the media selection, such as a time code and/or track number of the media
selection which identifies effectively what in the specific media
selection is being displayed. Likewise, the synchronization data may
include a title of a media selection and/or any other information that
may be periodically polled and/or provided on a one time basis at the
commencement of the programming.

[0035]Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be
made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is
intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the
accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, it is also
recognized that a majority of the programming required to define the
assemblies of the media player of the present system can be
pre-programmed into the player's processor, encoded onto a chip or
similar storage device for introduction into the player, or may be loaded
per use or permanently onto the processor of a player, such as from a
local or remote storage device.